The health and safety of you and your family is likely one of your highest priorities, as it should be. You do all that you can to keep yourself safe, but unfortunately, staying safe is not always within your control. Other people’s decisions can affect your health and safety. When this happens, you have the right to take action and file a claim. You will also need to seek out a Sacramento personal injury attorney.
For victims of an injury that occurred due to someone else’s negligence, personal injury law is on your side. This law allows individuals to receive financial assistance to aid in medical bills and provide support for the pain experienced. A settlement for a personal injury case differs depending on the severity of your injury. To receive a particular settlement amount, there are specifications that must be met.
How Much Can You Sue for in Personal Injury in California?
How much you can sue for in personal injury in California is determined by the extent of your damages. Your compensation should cover the expenses that resulted from your injury, so the more expenses you incurred, the more money you should sue for. There are many things that factor into the total amount. Here are a few things that will affect the settlement:
- The medical bills from the injury and accident
- Estimated costs for upcoming treatments
- Financial assistance needed for time spent recovering
- Lost wages due to a disability
- Training for a new job if the individual is unable to return to their previous job
- Suffering and pain experienced due to the injury
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Consulting with a Sacramento personal injury attorney can help you determine the settlement you deserve based on your circumstances.
Car Accidents
One of the most common personal injury claims is car accidents, as it is relatively common to get into an accident due to a driver’s negligence. These types of accidents can have drastically different outcomes, as some are minor and result in slight injuries such as whiplash. Others result in more serious injuries with life-long effects. The amount of money that you can sue for depends upon the severity of the accident, the events leading up to the accident, and the seriousness of the injury.
On average, the amount sued for car accidents is around $21,000. However, this amount varies depending on your unique circumstances.
Slip and Fall Accidents
This type of injury can be a result of a business owner’s negligence if you have slipped and fallen due to a wet, slippery floor without being warned. This type of injury makes you eligible for suing for personal injury. The outcome of this type of accident also varies greatly, as some falls result in serious injuries. The average amount of slip and fall settlements is between $15,000 and $50,000, depending on the severity of the injuries.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are not only traumatic but can also have lifelong adverse effects. If you have experienced a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence or if someone purposely injured you, you have the right to sue for personal injury.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim involves the loss of life due to accidents such as:
- Car accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Nursing home negligence
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Birth injuries
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
With a wrongful death claim, you can receive financial support for funeral services and the loss of your loved one’s income. You can also be reimbursed for any medical bills from the incident. While it won’t resolve the trauma and suffering, you can also be reimbursed for the pain experienced by the deceased after the incident and the emotional trauma you experienced as a result of losing them.
This claim can help hold the defendant responsible while also having them pay for all damages resulting from the death. The amount that you may request for damages may be up to one million dollars in rare cases, but it is dependent upon the factors leading to death.
FAQs
Q: How Much Can I Get for a Personal Injury Settlement in California?
A: In California, you can receive the total of the costs that resulted from your accident in a personal injury settlement. Keep in mind that the settlement amount varies depending on the severity of the accident and your injuries. For minor injuries, you may receive a settlement between $5,000 and $25,000. For a moderate injury, a settlement can be between $25,000 and $100,000. Severe injury settlements can be from $100,000 to $1,000,000.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
A: You have two years after the injury occurred to file a personal injury claim in California. It is suggested that you file as soon as possible, however, because the sooner you file, the more evidence you will have. It may be possible that the defendant will try to pass blame on someone or something else for your injuries if you wait for an extended period of time to file a claim.
Q: How Much Money Should I Ask for in a Settlement?
A: The amount of money you should ask for in a settlement depends on several factors. If your injuries are severe and will take you a considerably long time to recover from, you are able to ask for a higher settlement. Each case involves different circumstances, so it is suggested that you discuss your case with a personal injury attorney to determine a specific settlement amount.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in California?
A: It can take anywhere from three to twelve months to settle a personal injury case in California. A case will typically move quicker if you have legal representation. There are things that can delay the process, however, such as the severity of the injury requiring medical evaluation, complicated legal issues, and insurance companies determining settlement amounts.
Consult With a Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
Life is unpredictable, and unfortunately, another person’s negligence can cause you injury. If you have experienced an injury due to someone’s poor decisions, take action and file a claim. Contact Ewing Law Group, PC, where we can do everything possible to protect your rights.
